FDLE: Blair can begin transition to sheriff

State investigators gave Sheriff-elect Chris Blair, who is being investigated for elections law violations, the green light Friday to begin his transition to public office.

By Bill ThompsonStaff writer

State investigators gave Sheriff-elect Chris Blair, who is being investigated for elections law violations, the green light Friday to begin his transition to public office.Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents announced that Blair may access the sheriff's complex and begin preparations to take over from Sheriff Ed Dean on Jan. 8.Yet it remains unclear whether Blair will face charges for reportedly violating the state's campaign finance laws.FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey requested a 30-day delay in the transition on Nov. 7, the day after Blair, a Republican, defeated Constitution Party candidate Bernie DeCastro in the election. Bailey did so after Dean handed over an anonymous tip that Blair might have broken election laws.Blair could not be reached on Friday for comment. In a statement Friday, FDLE spokesman Keith Kameg indicated that the investigation was entering a new phase, and not ending."The investigation remains active and we are in communication with the state attorney's office," Kameg said."The investigation has however progressed to a point where FDLE has no operational concerns relating to the sheriff-elect transition process."Dean also said he was ready to assist Blair in beginning his administration. "I notified Sheriff-elect Blair that I am willing to proceed with the transition process during the pendency of the FDLE investigation," Dean said in a statement."I have already provided Mr. Blair's transition team with considerable Sheriff's Office information, including budgets, policies, personnel distributions and other helpful reports.""I have made available some offices for Mr. Blair's team to use; however, I do not anticipate hiring any team member prior to (the Jan. 8) transition date," meaning the sheriff likely would not bring any of Blair's people on board ahead of the change in power.Maj. Paul Laxton will be Dean's point man for the transition. The probe into the tip, supplied by Crime Stoppers of Marion County, now appears headed to prosecutors for review and a decision about criminal charges.State Attorney Bill Cervone in Gainesville will handle that task, having been named special prosecutor by Gov. Rick Scott after State Attorney Brad King asked to be relieved.King, having worked with Blair, the former head of the Sheriff's Office's major crimes unit, as a fellow deputy and as Marion County's top prosecutor sought to avoid a conflict of interest. King also endorsed Blair's opponent in the Republican primary, Dan Kuhn.Investigators have been tight-lipped about specifics of the allegations against Blair, revealing only that it involved potential violations of election laws.In Scott's Nov. 21 executive order appointing Cervone, the governor noted that the probe focused on campaign finance issues.Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.